Devin Townsend – Empath
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Wall of sound. Operatic vocals. The heaviest and hardest Metal. Beautifully deranged arrangements. There are many, many ways to describe the music of Devin Townsend. When you look at his entire career, or even many of his albums, he cannot be pigeonholed in to one definitive genre or style. Heavy Devy is simply Heavy Devy. Musically, Townsend is a master of production, guitar, and vocals in a way that sets him apart from just about any comparison you could attempt. The man is a musical genius on par with Trent Reznor, which is high praise in my books. However, Devin Townsend has an insane vocal range and self-effacing sense of humour that puts him in another realm.
I was introduced to Devin Townsend by Kensington Wine Market alumni and fellow whisky lover Curt Robinson around 6 or 7 years ago, when he told me about the album Empath. He mentioned how it was an album by a guy from BC who could not be labelled or pinned to one specific genre.
It took one listen of Empath to get what he meant. The album ranges from Metal to soft melody to a heavier version of the Beach Boys and even into a deranged song that would fit in on a Disney movie soundtrack. The album is all over the place in scope and scale, but still flows sequentially from track to Track.
No matter what kind of music is your jam, listening to a few of Devin Townsend’s songs is worth it just for the sheer awe his voice will leave you in. How he can manage to go from a growling metal scream to a perfectly pitched vibrato within the span of one verse is absolutely astounding.
Devin Townsend is a weird and wonderful gem of musical talent. The fact that he is Canadian is the cherry on top.
Cheers,
Evan
If you’re saying in your mind
“You’re better off dead”
Well, before the madness comes
To claim your name
A million years would go by
(Tell us a story)
What could I say? What should I say?
It took all of my words and my fantasy worlds
And at the heart of it all, there was nothing
How they meet their maker is
They’re right while they’re alive
It’s beautiful (It’s beautiful)
Bonus Content: Vocal Coach/Opera Singer FIRST TIME REACTION & ANALYSIS Devin Townsend “Kingdom” – YouTube
Bonus Bonus Content: Devin Townsend – Why / Quarantine Show – YouTube
Bonus Bonus Bonus Content: Genesis (OFFICIAL VIDEO) – YouTube